As we near the halfway mark of this short legislative session, I want to thank all of you who were able to send emails or meet with your legislators this week! There are definitely a few benefits to virtual life, and one of those is the ease with which
busy school leaders can meet with busy legislators. I was able to sit in 18 different meetings with legislators this week and to meet some new members and their staff. In scheduling these meetings with legislators, I invited principals living in their
legislative district to attend. It’s great to have even a few minutes of conversation with the hope that in the future, these conversations can turn into longer ones, or even in-person school visits.
It’s never too late to reach out to your legislators to tell your story, make a specific ask for what you need in your district or school building, or to ask them to support a specific policy or funding request that supports student needs. Send an email to your legislator. Invite them to meet with you via video conference or at your school so you can advocate on behalf of the principalship and your school’s needs.
Yesterday was the first significant cut-off date when policy bills had to pass out of their committees. Monday, February 7 will be the next cut-off date when bills need to pass out of the fiscal committees. February 15 is when bills need to pass off either
the House or Senate floor in order to remain “alive.” Of course, some bills may be marked “NTIB” (necessary to implement the budget). Those NTIB bills may be acted upon until the last day of the session when the final budget
is adopted.
Budget
Discussions about the needed pieces of education funding are happening and they include:
- providing a commitment to fund additional support positions such as nurses, counselors, social workers, and psychologists through an update to the prototypical funding model,
- providing enrollment stability, and
- increasing transportation spending.
The state must also address the cost of living adjustments in the budget due to inflation increases. Our economy continues to be strong, so how the math on all of this works out remains to be seen. We hope funding will be as stable as possible for districts
and we get some important new investments K–12 education.
Bills in Play
Budget
Students
- HB 1611 | Highly Capable Students
- HB 2068 | Creating the Imagination Library Program
- HB 2078 | Outdoor School for All
- SB 5497 | Student Board of Education Members
- SB 5537 | Compulsory School Attendance (age 6)
- SB 5720 | Financial Literacy
High School/Dual Credit
- HB 1162 | Performance Exhibition Pathway
- HB 1687 | College Bound Scholarship GPA
- HB 1723 | Closing the Digital Equity Divide
- HB 1760 | Dual Credit Program Access (similar to SB 5719 Dual Credit Costs)
- HB 1835 | Postsecondary Enrollment (FAFSA completion support)
- HB 1867 | Dual Credit Data
- SB 5498 | Awarding Diplomas Posthumously
- SB 5789 | Innovation Challenge Program (similar to HB 1835)
- SB 5878 | Arts Instruction
Health/Safety
- HB 1676 | Tobacco and Vapor Product Tax
- HB 1759 | Secure Storage Info on School Websites
- HB 1800 | Increasing Access to Behavioral Health Services for Minors
- HB 1834 | Student Mental Health Absences
- HB 1941 | Active Shooter Drills
- SB 5768 | Vapor Products
Workforce/Staff
- HB 1699 | Educators Working in Retirement
- HB 1942 | Paraeducator Training
- SB 5252 | School District Consultation with Tribes
Thank you, again, for all that you are doing for students and staff. Please contact me with any questions.